History of the Conn 2J CC (with Pictures . . .)

[jonesbrass]

I recently acquired a very nice Conn 2J CC tuba. A beautiful horn with a serial number beginning with 751,XXX. According to Conn's website and the Conn Loyalist website, this horn was made in 1958. Based on the condition of the horn, lacquer, etc. I would guess it to be a "younger" horn. I have also recieved some emails about the 2J series in general, and I have to admit, other than knowing the basic specs and how well it plays, I know very little about the history of the Conn 2J. It wasn't in production when I started playing. I've tried to search, but the new engine ignores "2J" and just displays results for "Conn."

Does anyone know the first and last years of production? (again this was not accurate on the Conn Loyalist website)
During it's production, how popular was it?
Anything else you know about the 2J series will be helpful, thanks.

(I apologize in advance for yet another gear-related thread, couldn't resist the opportunity to learn about the history of the 2J series)

[jonesbrass]

I can start with what I know about my horn:

Bore: 0.656"
Bell: 16.5"
Length is approximately 35"

[DonShirer]

I've tried to search, but the new engine ignores "2J" and just displays results for "Conn."

Try searching google with "conn 2j" (include the quotation marks). That worked for me.

[jonesbrass]

Greetings,

My Conn 2J has serial number 675xxx. In December of 1971 . . . the 2J's we tried were new. Between Mr. Phillips' word, and the condition of my horn at purchase(the smell, the appearance, the slightly stiff and unworn valves) I absolutely believe the instruments were new. Further, though I don't remember the source of this information, I had the sense that these horns had just been put in production . . .

Chuck

Thanks, Chuck, I had a feeling that my serial number didn't quite fit into the ones listed online. I can believe my horn would have been made in the early to mid 70's rather than in the late 50's, just based upon condition, etc.
Its also nice to confirm the Harvey Phillips CONNection with these horns, as well. Do you know what made the production 2J's different from the specifications Harvey and the Conn designers developed?

The 2J tubas I've had first hand contact with did NOT follow Conn's SN convention. They were made Olds in California. They simply say Conn on the bell. Not Elkhart, not Abilene, not USA, etc. I have a 2J right now that came out of Harvey Philips' studio. GREAT little horn. Great pitch, easy to play, lovely horn. Too bad they're not made any more.

Thanks, Scooby. I knew these were made by Olds in California. Definitely not a disappointment there, either, since Olds at one time had a terrific tradition of making some of the world's finest instruments (Recording trumpet, etc.). Perhaps these are Olds serial numbers?! That would make more sense, based on what I see here: http://www.musictrader.com/olds.html or here: http://rouses.net/trumpet/rstewart.htm, which would put my horn as produced sometime after June of 1971.

[jonesbrass]

I've tried to search, but the new engine ignores "2J" and just displays results for "Conn."

Try searching google with "conn 2j" (include the quotation marks). That worked for me.

Thanks, Don. I've already tried to search google that way prior to posting, and haven't found anything I didn't already know. Strange that I can't search TubeNet that way, though.

[Toad Away]

Dave Gannett sure sounded fantastic on his.



(I believe this excellent recording is available at his website.)

[Art Hovey]

I saw Dave with that tuba at a gig in North Haven some time around 1970. It was the first 2J I ever saw, and I think he said it was a prototype on loan from Harvey. I am pretty sure that was before his work at Rosie O's. Perhaps he will choose to respond with more info.

[jonesbrass]

Here are a few pictures of the 2J alongside my Cerveny 653 F. They compliment each other well, sound-wise. So I think we've narrowed down the 2J's production years to sometime in the early 1970's, not sure when they stopped making them. Would be neat to see some press releases or catalogs from that time to see how it was promoted . . .

[MikeMason]

Quite the handsome pair indeed...

[imperialbari]

Conn 4J+2J 1968 cat text.jpg

The 2J is in a 1968 Conn catalogue. The background brass pages may be found via the index for my brass documentation project:

http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/Yo ... %20format/

Klaus

[jonesbrass]

Neat! Thanks, Klaus!

So I know now that production was at least documented as early as 1968, and that most of the 2J's I've seen seem to follow the Olds serial number series and were made in the early 1970's (through 1973?) . . .

I do wonder what "shortcuts" were taken from the version Harvey Phillips worked on with the Conn design team . . . anyone know?

[jonesbrass]

Quite the handsome pair indeed...

Thanks, Mike

I play the heck out of 'em as often as I can, but I also believe in taking care of my gear.

[Bandmaster]

I remember back in 1976, when I was attending Long Beach State, we went to a tuba symposium down the freeway at Cal State Fullerton. Harvey Phillips was the main attraction. When he came in to do a short recital he talked about his silver Conn 2J tuba. He said he had owned it for a very long time and in fact had already had it overhauled twice. So who knows what year it was originally built and what modifications were done to it. But he sure sounded good playing it.

[Phil Dawson]

Can someone help me with this? I had always thought that the 2J was the BBb version of the 3J. I am obviously wrong. My 3J seems to be very similar to the pictured 3J. I was told that the 3J was also a copy of the horn Harvey played in the 60s and that Harvey got into a disagreement with Conn and they discontinued production of the horn. I purchased the horn new in 1991 or so. Can someone set me straight on this? BTW the horn is a great little horn for quintet work.
Thanks, Phil

[jonesbrass]

Can someone help me with this? I had always thought that the 2J was the BBb version of the 3J. I am obviously wrong. My 3J seems to be very similar to the pictured 3J. I was told that the 3J was also a copy of the horn Harvey played in the 60s and that Harvey got into a disagreement with Conn and they discontinued production of the horn. I purchased the horn new in 1991 or so. Can someone set me straight on this? BTW the horn is a great little horn for quintet work.
Thanks, Phil

The 2J and 3J are both CC tubas. The 2J has a 16 1/2" bell, whereas the 3J is a little larger horn and has an 18" bell. The 5J is the BBb version of the 3J. In the 1968 Conn catalog pictures that Klaus has on his website, it states that the 2J is the CC version of the 5J, which really isn't correct.

[Phil Dawson]

Thanks, Phil

[Steve Inman]

OK -- how would I search this forum for comparisons or opinions of the Conn 2J vs. the Conn 3J tubas?

When I try "3J vs 2J" or any such combination, all my search terms are ignored. Likewise when I search for "Conn 3J" -- the "3J" term is ignored.

OR -- should I start a parallel thread with this question? (I hope not, as this MUST have been discussed before.)

Thanks,

[Art Hovey]

In response to Phil Dawson: The BBb version is the 5J. -An excellent student instrument, useful for small ensembles, nice response & intonation, but definitely not a BAT.

[Phil Dawson]

The 3J is also a small instrument great for quintet type things. The bracing and construction though are of pro quality instead of student quality.
Phil

[Steve Inman]

The 3J is also a small instrument great for quintet type things. The bracing and construction though are of pro quality instead of student quality.
Phil

Phil -- does this mean that the 2J is a "student" level horn, while the 3J is a "better" quality horn, with respect to construction? Or -- are these two horns about the same in all respects except for bell diameter?

Thanks!